You've been building something in the background.
Not hiding it. Just not performing it.
Then someone mentions it. Casually. Like they've been watching the whole time.
A compliment for something you'd almost forgotten was visible.
And the strange part is it doesn't land like relief.
You'd already decided the work mattered. Months ago.
This is just a bonus.
A receipt for a bet you stopped checking.
We talk about doing things without needing approval.
Easier when no one's looking.
But when they finally do, you find out whether you meant it.
The scoreboard catches up eventually.
You just have to play long enough to stop watching.
